Authorities are searching for the suspect in a Sunday-morning explosion that left an elderly Vacaville man seriously injured after an explosive device wrapped in his newspaper detonated when he picked it up.
Vacaville police started receiving calls from residents in the Browns Valley neighborhood who reported hearing a loud explosion at about 10:20 a.m. According to police, the victim, who authorities are not identifying, had walked to the front of his home located in the 900 block of Cashel Circle to retrieve his newspaper as he did every morning. Police said he noted that it was slightly heavier than normal and had started to unfold it when it suddenly exploded.
Vacaville police Sgt. Rick Elm was the first officer to respond to the scene and said he arrived to find the victim lying "flat on his back."
"Pieces of paper were around him," Elm said, adding that there was also what appeared to be a "small crater near him" where the blast occurred.
A CALSTAR air ambulance flew the victim to the University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento for treatment of the injuries suffered to his hand, arm and side. Vacaville Public Information Officer Mark Mazzaferro said the man's his injuries were serious, but not thought to be life threatening.
Police said an explosive device of some type had apparently been placed inside the newspaper.
"We don't know what type of device it was at this point," Mazzaferro said, adding that contrary to initial rumors, the bomb was not a liquid acid bottle-based device. Mazzaferro went on to say that early reports that multiple devices were being found and detonated were also incorrect.
According to Elm, as more officers started to arrive, they noticed other newspapers lying in front of surrounding homes, as well as a suspicious package. He then gave the order to evacuate the other residents who live along Cashel Circle.
Police immediately started cordoning off the area, evacuating those thought to be in possible danger, while others were allowed to bunker down in their homes for safety. Officers took to the surrounding streets with a PA system, warning residents not to touch suspicious looking newspapers or packages. In total, authorities estimate that between 40 and 50 area homes were evacuated. An emergency shelter was opened at the Three Oaks Community Center for those who were displaced during the evacuation and following investigation. The exact number of residents who were evacuated is unknown, police said. The crime scene area was then extended well past the immediate neighborhood and through traffic was brought to a stop on Allison Parkway, just south of Vaca Valley Parkway.
Authorities began searching the area for other possible explosive devices, calling in multiple bomb squads, including bomb-sniffing dogs from the California Highway Patrol and Travis Air Force Base as well as other bomb-detecting equipment. Mazzaferro said that bomb-squad members made their way through the neighborhood and X-rayed any packages that looked suspicious.
Solano County Emergency Services set up its mobile command station on Edenderry Drive, between the two ends of Cashel Circle. Officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted with the investigation and search efforts in the neighborhood but no other devices were found, police said.
Police officers also responded to calls from concerned residents in other areas in the city who had found "suspicious packages," but no other devices were found, authorities said.
Police said no motive has been established and no suspects are being named at this time. According to Mazzaferro, police think the explosion on Cashel Circle was a "isolated incident" and do not believe that other devices will be found elsewhere in the city.
Still, Mazzaferro said it is unknown if the selection of the victim was random or if he was being targeted.
At 4 p.m., police began allowing residents to return to their homes in the neighborhood, with the exception of the homes closest to the crime scene where officers were still investigating and collecting evidence. About half an hour later, the "all clear" call went out but police warned residents to notify authorities if they see any suspicious activities or packages.
Anyone with information regarding the explosion is asked to contact the Vacaville Police Department at 449-5200. Criminal activity can also be reported at www.cityofvacaville.com/departments/police, or by calling Crime Stoppers to leave an anonymous tip at 644-STOP. Crime Stoppers may pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
